The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-15

eyes OF the despairing woman beheldychi
a desolatc plain, iianked by pitilesss, ule,
and intersccted by the white road ,ong
which no sign OF life could be detted. =
The mountains in all directions had re-
newed their crests of snow.
Succeeding days moved by in torturing
suspense. AS m progressed, the sn'st
rays beat ever more warmly uponheao
earth, and, by the middle OF Marchhcn
heat ut MONDAY was like a foretasle OFT
INNER Passers-by, as they neared the
small cottage, learned 10 expect a vision oil
a pair of imploring eyes at the door or
window, or at nightiall a woman's form,
envclopcd in q worsted shawl, pacing up
and down behind the double row of cacti
and trio Of sick!y cherry trees which con
siituted the sole vcrdure in the garden.
Mariana in the mOated grange, quoted u
few of the more misch:evous, in williul
tavesty Of the situation, for his wilc's
anxiety over Merrdith's prolonged absence
was the subject Of general comment, meet
ing with little sympathy among those ne
customed TO the uncertainties Of frontier
lie.
Two men failed 10 share in the prevail
ing apathy. David Rowcll, OH his regular
horseback ride before breakfast each morn
ing, never failed 10 circle about his part
ncr's house, and rs the sad, questioning
face presented itself 10 him n ~jocular in
quiry left his lips.
"Wcll, Mrs. Meredith, has that missing
lord and master OF yours turned up YETI
A ALTERING negative would greet him.
Exactly as ! prophcsicd. You might
rs well make mp your mind you'll never
see him again. Some Of those pretty
Mexicans down there have led him cap
tive" At which the lady he addressed,
moved by her wifely fealty and love, would
break out in passionate protest and lose
her anxiety in wrathful Indignation, while
the horscman, rs he turned toward the
country, changed his gay look OF banter
for an expression OF savage ierocity, and
charged his stced upon the prickly yuccas,
and mildly mathematical the rccreant
spouse.
AT twilight an insignificant figure, with
bowed shoulders and n shock Of bushy
hair, going silently about his chores in The
back yard, stole iurtiye glances at the sad
eyed young matron and returned TO his
lonely shanty 10 sit and brood over n
wcighty project incubating in his troubled
brain. 1t was generally understood
throughout the community that some
| 'sAi llNCN'AN sAAAstAAAN' W. wv Afh'fhANan ~
concealment Of his proper appellation and
adoption of the name Of his native city be-
ing regarded as most eliminating evil
doncc. But the old fellow kept On the
even tenor OF his way, attending Ia his
small stock Of poultry, and selling his
eggs and chickens nj an advance oi - per
cent. ON the market price, wholly indiilcr.
cnt tO the praise or blame OF the rest OF
humanity.
Early in the third week after the young
prnspc,sor's promised return there began
la bc u little stir in down town circles.
News OF u fresh Apache outbreak had
been received, which augurcd i'll for any
unprotected pruspcctOrs in their vicinity.
From laughing indifference the business
men began To discuss the chances ni Mere
ditlIs safety.
"IIc WIS q gallant fellow" remarked
one. II was noticeable that he employed
the past tense.
at scema a pity TO be inactive" oh,
served another. III any Of the men want
to 90 out and look for him, III be one al
them" But il was generally conceded
that the time for help was past.
David Rowcll, who was Il silent auditor
on these occasions, perseycred in his daily
rides, and never flinchcd in his established
: prupTam: hut the face he turned 10 Ill,
plains after these rccontrcs had lost III
savage expression, and was fixed and stern
in its pity Tor the young wife over who's
/; head was suspended q Namoclcan sword
= liable ut any moment TO fall.
~.
Ono evening, at shutdown, the docto
WAS summoned in hot haste Ia the Mere
! diih household. At midnight Dayi'
Rowcll, nctr,aiing with cautious footsteps
from the door, whittier he had gone 10 hul,
a whispered colloquy, was startled 10y see
: ing one Ut the row oi twisted cacti in tn,
; yard apparently moving toward him
Z Drawing nearer, he recognized the stuntc'
form OF the German.
! "Will she he bcdder?p
!, 'No change, Dresden" II would hay'
" been RINK injustice To hold the clear nigh
air accountable for the huskincss in hi
: throat. "Only one thing can save hcI
God pity him II he's dead, and curse hin
u II he's alive" he added.
simultaneously with the intelligence Z
Mr. Mcrcdith's serious Illness u va
bruitcd about that old Dresden had Ill,
!. posed of his chicken ranch and, buying
y srraggy hurru, set of with q pack 81 nc
" tions To visit some 81 the Mexican wiling,
y living contiguous 10 the border. His ii,
parturc aroused little comment, althoug
!. some 81 the more cntcrprising ui uhc nini
v cnlinc gussips limited at dark and myster
4 uus reasons which ruled his movements.
4 few DAYS later n curious meeting n
a Cured in the pass OF the Sierra Mndr'
4 A stubby little man. hObbling along III
side a diminutiye burro, with a towcriT
IA pack, at a point where the narrow Ton
M wound about the side OF q PERCEPTION
= gorge. heard the well known whistle
- the distance, the usual signal warnii
:, travellers Of approach rom an OPPOSE
" direction. From n note VI warning n
~ ~ whistle glided gnyly into the strains Of
u popular operate air. The small man wit
.. Inc burn gave q sharp shout aud pushc
w ON 10 lind John Meredith awaiting his ~
Nc pnach ri a place where u crescent ha
~ been followed into the rocky wall.
W "Ncll. Mr.. Mercditg'
,o The little man sat down on q rock ~
" eyed The c%arclcss young hOrscinan vii
u the eve offs Nemesis.
~ "IielIoa, Dresden. What are You up
~ now Going 10 turn the heals OF tho
-. Mexican women with a lot Of iincry, oh
~ Dresden stiflcd u savage imprccatio
~ Dy a great effort hc composed himself.
~, ~ vas thinking you been hating a f.
~ fine time In the mOundains, Mr.. Mercdit
~ "Oh, $3.50. A bit too much rain ~
Nv snow. But I have some ine spccimo
here. People will open their eyes VIII
a. they zee them. Copper and native sllN
iue till YOU can't rest but Of course You dol
know anything about such things
'ms broke off with n compassionate laugh.
"a "You vas not afraid the little n